Header for ice freezing apparatus



July 11, 1950 J. 5., ROCHELLE, SR

HEADER FOR ICE" FREEZING APPARATUS Filed March 5, 1949 J3.Roc7zelle5 INVENTOR 1E N R O U A I 1 I Y B Patented July 11, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEADER FOR ICE FREEZING APPARATUS Joseph B. Rochelle, Sr., Good Hope, La.

Application March 3, 1949, Serial No. 79,355

1 Claim.

This invention relates to ice freezing apparatus, and more particularly to the construction of the headers used in ice freezing machines.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved header construction for ice making machines, wherein the headers are disposed directly over the ice cans, and are so constructed and arranged that the time factor in the freezing operation will be reduced an appreciable degree, over ice freezing apparatus now in common use.

An important object of the invention is to provide independent headers for the cans of the freezing apparatus, the headers including inlet passageways and outlet passageways, the respective inlet and outlet passageways of the headers being in communication, so that the circulation of the brine through the headers will be unobstructed.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of individual headers supported over the cans for the promotion of ease in handling and servicing the apparatus.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of an ice pan equipped With a header and support, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the header.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 indicates an ice can which is one of a series of ice cans which are supported in a brine tank of an ice making machine under the usual deck of the ice making apparatus.

The header, forming the subject matter of the present invention, comprises a body 6 in the form of a casting having an upper outlet passageway I and a lower inlet passageway 8, the partitioning wall 9 between the passageways l and 8, being formed with threaded openings to receive the threaded upper ends in of the tubes II that extend into the drop tubes l2 that taper towards their free ends, where they are closed. The tubes ll extend to points adjacent to the closed ends of the drop tubes l2 so that brine which is pumped into the drop tubes l2, will pass upwardly through the tubes II and flow into the outlet passageway I and pass through the pipe l3 that affords communication between adjacent headers of ice cans.

As clearly shown by Fig. 3 of the drawing, the upper ends of the drop tube l 2 are threaded and are disposed in threaded bores formed in the header legs [4, the drop tubes l2 extending to a point adjacent to the inlet passageway 8 so that the brine passing through the passageway 8, will find its way into the drop tubes l2 during the circulation of the brine.

Each header is supported by means of a bracket I5, the brackets being of lengths to extend longitudinally of the open ends of the tanks, the ends of the brackets being offset as at Hi to fit down over the upper edges of the cans, as clearly shown by Fig. 1 of the drawing.

The brackets 15 are formed with openings through which the drop tubes l2 extend, and securing nuts I! are fitted on the drop tubes and engage gaskets l8 forcing them into engagement with the brackets l5, securely holding the headers in place on the brackets.

An inlet pipe l9 connects with the inlet passageway 8, so that when the headers of a number of ice pans are connected in series, a complete circulation may be provided between the headers.

The reference character 20 indicates a plug which closes the clean out opening 2| and affords means whereby the headers may be flushed out or cleaned.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided headers which support a pair of drop pipes thereby appreciably decreasing the time factor in freezing ice and at the same time providing headers which may be conveniently installed or removed as desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

In ice making apparatus, ice cans, a support removably mounted on the open upper end of each ice can and having spaced openings, a header having an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway, secured to each support and each header embodying legs disposed over the openings of the support, drop tubes having closed lower ends, extending through the openings and being secured within the legs of the header, open ended outlet tubes disposed within the drop tubes and spaced therefrom and being in communication with the outlet passageway whereby brine entering the drop tubes circulates through the outlet tubes and outlet passageways, and pipes connecting the respective inlet passageways and outlet passageways of the adjacent headers of the ice making apparatus.

JOSEPH B. ROCHELLE,- SR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 911,238 Havenstrite Feb. 2, 1909 2,100,520 Robinson Nov. 30, 1937 

